SCHMALLEGER: CHAPTER 8 - Sociological Theories (Part II) 1. DIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION: (associated with Edwin Sutherland) This is essentially a "LEARNING THEORY," and holds that criminal behavior is learned from others. In this view, behaviors are learned in INTERACTION with intimate personal groups. Learning includes techniques of committing the crime, and the specific directin of motives, drives, rationalizations for the behaviors,and attitudes. (Explain what this all means) This view suggests that people do not "DRIFT" into criminal behaviors (as does Matza's "DRIFT" theory), or that people necessarily make RATIONAL JUDGEMENTS about whether to commit crime or not. Sutherland argued that crime is TRANSMITTED in particular cultures (in which persons interact with others) and that is why the theory is also called CULTURAL TRANSMISSION THEORY. BUT---Sutherland looked primarily at kids. . .would this hold if we looked at adult criminals? (identify a few examples, eg, white collar crime, etc)---- Sutherland is trying to get away from view that delinquency/crime is cused by a) emotional security, b) broken homes, etc. . . Key "variables" here include a) duration of contact, b) intensity of contact, c) frequency of contact, and d) priority (or importance) of interaction. 2. SOCIAL CONTROL THEORY (RECKLESS) - norms and social bonds CONTAIN behaviors (explain). See also Social bonding theory (Hirschi) 3. REINTEGRATIVE SHAMING (Braithwaite) (focus on stigmatic shaming and reintegrative shaming) 4. LIFE COURSE PERSPECTIVE
Page maintained by: Jim Thomas - jthomas@sun.soci.niu.edu